Cylinder rod fire protection system

Abstract

Fire protection for the tensioner cylinders of a marine riser tensioner system in oil and gas offshore drilling and production rigs where the tensioner cylinders are coated with intumescent epoxy and their respective cylinder rods are enclosed within outer fire protection cylinders which comprise an inner metal lining and an outer jacket. The outer jacket comprises an inner multi-layer thick blanket of ceramic fibrous materials and barrier films contained within inner and outer layers of woven ceramic fibers for reinforcement and abrasion resistance. The outer fire protection cylinders telescope over the tensioner cylinders as the cylinder rods extend and retract in response to vertical movement of the rigs. The intumescent epoxy on the tensioner cylinders are covered with a bearing sleeve to provide a smooth surface for the telescoping fire protecting cylinders and fire retardant mechanisms are located at the tops and bottoms of the telescoping cylinders to prevent intrusion of heat and flame.

I claim: 
     
       1. A passive fire protection means for protecting the cylinder rod of a pneumatic-hydraulic cylinder having intumescent epoxy coating on the cylinder comprising, a bearing tube over said intumescent epoxy coating,   an outer fire protection cylinder over said cylinder rod and telescoping over said cylinder and its coating and tube including,   an inner metallic cylindrical fire can which extends   the length of said cylinder rod, and   an outer jacket of flexible protective cover means over   said fire can.   
     
     
       2. The fire protection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer jacket comprises an inner multi-layer blanket of ceramic fibrous materials and barrier films contained within inner and outer layers of woven ceramic fibers for reinforcement and abrasion resistance. 
     
     
       3. The fire protection means as claimed in claim 2 further including means at the lower end of said cylinder which expands in response to heat to engage said fire can and cylinder to form a fire stop. 
     
     
       4. The fire protection means as claimed in claim 3 further including wiper seal means and a bearing at the upper end of said outer fire protection cylinder. 
     
     
       5. In a riser tensioner system including a plurality of pneumatic-hydraulic cylinders and cylinder rods which extend from an offshore rig to a riser to maintain the riser in tension during vertical movement of the rig and which are connected to said riser and said rig by a plurality of articulating joints, the improvement in such system comprising, fire protection cylinders over said cylinder rods to protect the cylinder rods against heat and flame which includes,   metallic cylindrical support cans extending the length of said rod and telescoping over said cylinders,   protective covers in the form of tubes covering said support cans,   said protective covers each comprising a thick interior blanket of ceramic fibrous material and barrier films and contained within inner and outer layers of woven ceramic material for reinforcement and abrasion resistance.   
     
     
       6. The system as claimed in claim 5 further including material which expand when heated located at the lower end of said cylinders to engage said support cans and seal the cylinder rods against heat and flame. 
     
     
       7. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said articulated joints are flame protected by a flexible cover means and wherein said protective covers are joined with said flexible cover means to prevent fire and heat intrusion. 
     
     
       8. A method of providing fire protection of the cylinder rod of a pneumatic-hydraulic cylinder comprising the steps of, coating said cylinder with intumescent epoxy,   fitting a bearing tube over said intumescent epoxy,   providing a fire can of metallic material over said cylinder rods and telescoping over said epoxy and tube,   providing a jacket over said fire can comprising a thick interior blanket of ceramic fibrous materials and barrier films contained within woven ceramic cover means for heat and abrasion resistance.   
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further including the provision of a fire stop means between said cylinder and said fire can to prevent the intrusion of heat and flame.